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UNITED STATES
a
ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
De
WASHINGTON 25, D.C.
FILE
January 6, 1965
COMMISSIONER
COMMISSIONER
COMMISSIONER
COMMISSIONER
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BUNTING
PALFREY .
RAMEY
TAPE
THROUGH CENERAL manager f= © “e
SUBJECT:
402784
|
MEMORANDUM FOR CHAIRMAN SEABORG
OL 6g errs
JAN 7
85
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THREE MARSHALLESE GIRLS OPERATED ON
FOR REMOVAL OF THYROID NODULES (SEE ATTACHED COPY OF PREVLOUS
MEMO, THIS SUBJECT).
Dr. Robert A. Conard, Medical Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory,
who has responsibility for conducting the clinical surveys, reports:
"Sections of the nodules have been examined by a number of pathologists
including Drs. S. Warren, G. H. Klink, H. A. Johnson and S. Lindsay.
The
concensus is that the nodules are benign, though with certain bizarre areas,
and resemble iodine deficiency adenomata.”
‘
Dr. Lindsay noted that the nodules in the Rongelap cases are similar to
ones he has seen in children following 113 therapy. This Division has a
file of Dr. Lindsay's histological reports and a review paper by Lindsay
and Chaikoff, Cancer Research, 24:1099, 1964.
The radiation dosages which these children's thyroids may have received
are being re-evaluated by Dr. John Gofman'’s group, Lawrence Radiation
Laboratory.
It should be added that nodules in the thyroid glands of young people
frequently become malignant in the course of time. Therefore, while
these which were removed promptly after discovery were not malignant,
there is a chance that in time they might have assumed neoplastic
characteristics. Dr. Conard's next clinical survey will tzke place in
February 1965.
BEST COPY AVAILABLE
€. L. Dunham, M.D.
Director
Division of Blolozy and Medicine
Attachment:
Copy of mero dated 10/2/64
from C. L. Dunham to Chairman Seaborg
STATUS VERIFIED V,
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